WHITEMARSH — The saying goes “the best laid plans of mice and men often go awry” and often times, it’s Plymouth Whitemarsh’s Jack Mailey that causes it. At least for the opposition.

Mailey, one of the Colonial’s offensive tackles (who doubles as the strongside linebacker) creates both the protection of the quarterback and the open avenues for the backs. But, at practice the PW coaches are pained to slow his roll because of his sheer intensity.

“I’m the type of guy who’s always hyped, always trying to rally together, always going 100-percent every play,” Mailey said. “I do a lot of training in the offseason and even on our off-days I’m out pulling sleds or something like that.

“I’m always bouncing off the walls.”

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Mailey and fellow offensive tackle, Ryan Bischoff create a tandem of speed and strength which plows avenues for the backs and wreaks havoc on opposing defenses.

At 7-0 in division last season, the Colonials fell short in the postseason. But, this year with much of the core still intact, they have something to prove.

Mailey is the bolt to Bischoff’s brawn. Mailey’s speed allows him to hook the outside linemen “with no effort whatsoever,” while his compadre Bischoff is “as strong as a Mack truck.” They set the tone on the offensive line and make all the magic happen.

“It helps our team because I can get to the outside, get the linebackers, and he can bulldoze 300-pound guys with no problem,” Mailey said.

“They give us the versatility to try to turn the edge, while at the same time having balance on the other side,” said PW coach Dan Chang. “They’re also big on our pass blocking and making sure that we’re able to hold a pocket.

In asking Mailey about his football idols, it seemed that he would easily point to J.J. Watt or Jason Peters, but instead harks back to the legends of the league: Reggie White and Lawrence Taylor.

Bischoff, who stands 6-foot-4, 265 pounds, is a force to be reckoned with on the field, but in conversation he is quiet, concentrated and committed. All of his preparation starts in weight room during the offseason. Mailey jokes that he “benches Mount Rushmore for a warmup.”

Oh yeah, and he’s not even 16 yet.

“I’m never really thinking negatively, I’m always positive about things,” Bischoff said. “I’m the leader in the offseason, I believe in the weightroom.”

This year, without the one-two punch of Corey Kelly and Terry Brown at running back, it will be up to the offensive line to help the younger running backs see daylight. Fullback Jose Mora-Vega has stepped with the three running backs, Brian Afflick, Manny Jones and Naseef Nasir.

“This will be their first time playing varsity, but I think it will be a smooth transition because there will gigantic holes for them by the offensive line,” Mailey said.

“We got fast kids,” Mora-Vega said. “So, it’s not like we really our best running backs, because when we lose, we gain.”

In any case, the offense aims to be potent and cohesive in preparation for the opening game against Perk Valley. During practice at the strongside linebacker position, Mailey disrupts nearly every passing play to the point where the quarterback can’t get his reps in.

Mailey just can’t dial it back — it’s all or nothing — but no one’s complaining.